Diversity and heritability of the maize rhizosphere microbiome under field conditions

The rhizosphere is a critical interface supporting the exchange of resources between plants and their associated soil environment. Rhizosphere microbial diversity is influenced by the physical and chemical properties of the rhizosphere, some of which are determined by the genetics of the host plant. However, within a plant species, the impact of genetic variation on the composition of the microbiota is poorly understood. Here, we characterized the rhizosphere bacterial diversity of 27 modern maize inbreds possessing exceptional genetic diversity grown under field conditions. Randomized and replicated plots of the inbreds were planted in five field environments in three states, each with unique soils and…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 0958245, 0958184, IOS-0958184, DE-AC02-05CH11231
• DA
  David and Lucile Packard Foundation
• HH
  Howard Hughes Medical Institute

  Award: DE-AC02-05CH11231
• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy

  Awards: -AC02-05CH11231, 05CH11231, Contract DE-AC02-05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02, DE-AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02-
• GA
  Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
• AA
  Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation
• HF
  Hartwell Foundation
• UO
  University of Missouri
• JG
  Joint Genome Institute

  Awards: DE-AC02-05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231
• UO
  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• OO
  Office of Science

  Awards: Contract DE-AC02-05CH11231, AC02-05CH11231, -AC02-05CH11231, DE-AC02